A person’s home is their castle. It’s the place they should feel safe and comfortable. When a person buys a standard home insurance coverage policy they are protecting themselves for those “just in case” moments when bad things could occur. Homeowner’s insurance typically pays for damage or destruction to a person’s house and their personal property.

Does owning and using a safe to store your valuables get you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance? Sometimes it does. It’s a smart idea to mention that you keep your expensive items locked up in a safe and see what your particular insurance company thinks about that– they may offer you a discount on your premium because the likelihood of anything bad happening to items in a safe is low.

sure. Because they’re locked away in a safe, these items are essentially safe from damage or destruction. Safes offer both security and fire protection– two things insurance companies appreciate.

Some insurance companies keep a list of certain safe brands that will specifically help you get discounts. Things like “fire ratings” or the size and strength of the bolts/locks can come into play with the idea that the stronger the safe, the better chance that whatever’s in it will not be easily stolen or destroyed…hence, the insurance company can “rest easy” knowing they won’t have to pay for replacing certain valuable, expensive items since the safe is so…safe.

In the past, people used to think of storing their important items in a bank’s “safe deposit box.” Today, with personal safes being affordable, it makes more sense to own your own safe for use in your own home so you have unrestricted access to it at any time. Furthermore, there’s a peace-of-mind that comes from knowing where your specific valuables are being kept and that you can use your combination to open your safe to check on the items at any time.

When looking to buy your own safe, always buy one that’s physically bigger than you think you need at the time. Bigger is better when buying a safe as you’ll tend to fill the space up over time. Factors to consider include the thickness of the safe’s metal (or other materials), its type of locking mechanism, and its fire rating.

If you notice the term “TL-15,” which include some of the safes for sale on Value Safe’s website, that means the safe door can successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 15 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills or pressure devices. A TL-30’s safe door can pass the same test for 30 minutes. Do note, however, that this does not include attacks on the sides or top. If you want a safe that is extremely strong on all 6 sides, choose a TRTL-30X6, which can withstand a 30 minute torch/tool attack on all 6 sides of the safe.

It’s no surprise that people are growing increasingly brazen with their criminal acts. While it used to be a rarity that anyone’s house would be burglarized, it’s hard to find someone nowadays that doesn’t have some sort of theft story related to their homes. That’s why it’s important that we, as homeowners, take every necessary precaution to protect our homes and our families.

For some people, this means installing home security cameras. And for others, it means securing a number of alarm-sounding devices. After all, it doesn’t seem to be enough anymore that people lock their doors and windows. Now it seems necessary to use a window alarm, a door alarm, and a number of other home security devices in order to fully protect your home. For the best results, have some home protection devices that are visible to potential criminals. These can serve as effective deterrents for anyone considering breaking into your home. Even with these safeguards in place, you will also want to house your valuables in a safe.

I can’t imagine anything worse than losing my home to a fire. I once had a friend whose family home burnt down due to an unexpected electrical fire. They lost everything, including family photos and mementos. It was so sad; I can remember my friend crying everyday at school.

Though I feel bad for that friend, I am glad I learned to protect myself against house fires when I was young. I invested in a fireproof home safe in order to guard all of my most important possessions. Even if my home burns down I will still have my favorite photos and important documents.

Wall Safe model Protex PWS1414c …ever wonder where in the world they get these model numbers? Well let me tell you. P=Protex W=wall S=Safe 1414 are the inside height and width in inches. C is for combo dial. So if you are looking for a safe with a 14 x 14 inside sizing you have found it.

Take a look at the picture below and you will notice the inside is much smaller than the over all height of the wall safe. Thats because this wall safe has a very large “flange” to cover up in messy problems you may have had cutting the sheet rock to install it. Thats real nice of them since most folks are not handymen per se.

Nice double shelving in this wall safe to take advantage of the interior space. Pay close attention to the depth at 3 3/4 inches. Not alot of room for paperwork or large objects. But plenty for jewelry, cash, passports, and more. Easy access space to the interior so you can screw it to the 2×4’s. However, take a look at that dial. Hmmm, she sticks out a bit. Looks like its just under an inch protrusion. So much for a flush wall safe. Better find something to cover this wall safe before you buy it. Maybe be something loose hanging over it like a tapestry or better yet, put it in the closet behind a bunch of clothes! You could even mount it down low and put a dresser in front of it. But that might be a pain to move when you want in or out of the safe. Something to think about.

Steel is 14 gauge so thats stonger than the cheaper models. So that makes for a good value. However I would not call this a “High Security Wall Safe“….those things are over twice the price of this more affordable wall safe from Protex. The reason being is the wall safe is using the bolt from the lock to keep the door shut. Which is good just not high security..know what I mean?

With a depth of only 3 3/4 inches there is no room for material to make this a fireproof wall safe. I have heard no customer complaints on this model and would give a thumbs up for a good quality wall safe. Check out www.ValueSafes.com for retail pricing on this model. They normally have good sales and free shipping.

Model GS5930H has been recently redesigned by Diamond Back Gun Safes. The biggest difference on this model is the hinges! They have chosen to strengthen an area of the safe that is normally neglected and already well built. Why would they do such a thing you ask? I’ll tell you.

Good quality safes are made to last 20+ years. (Don’t get good quality safes confused with Safes you can purchase in Big Box retailers with names like Sentry or worse. Some generic name that nobody has heard of….) However, the hinges are often the first thing thing to go. First the door bumps into the wall when trying to close the safe. Then over the years the top hinge just starts to sag more and more…a lot like the U.S. dollar. Which hinges like dollars all like to be strengthend. So Diamond Back Gun Safes added a super duty hinge to this Gun Vault. Which moves this gun safe into the “way plus side” of 20 years and more. So much for the idea of planned obsoletion.

Its important to go over the ingredients on how this model is made. 10 gage steel for body and door. Place a thick metal plate inside the door, plus hardplate over the lock. Wow, thats a lot steel! You normally don’t find safes in this budget range with a fraction of that. Add to it (10) 1 1/2 inch bolts on the door,hinge side of the door, top, and bottom of door. With all this steel and bolts making this next to impossible to crow bar open. (Which I have never heard of a Diamond Back Gun Safe having its door breached). I should also point out that the Republic Gun Safes are built to this same thickness and are worth a very close look. Republic Gun Safes

Bolts are put on the hinge side of a door just in case someone takes a blow torch or grinder to the hinges and cuts them off. The door still won’t open. Granted, I ‘ve never seen this happen before but perhaps it was common before my time.

Did I mention the Group II lock? Yes, it includes a Sargent & Greenleaf spring loaded relocker with spyproof dial front. As a side note, if a safe manufacturer puts on a Sargent & Greenleaf lock they want the safe to last a lifetime. My local bank even has an old one from the 30’s still in use on their vault. Amazing to me. You will often see safes in antique shops with S&G locks from the 90’s…thats 1890’s! Still in use and most likely never had anything done to them. Did I mention these were really good locks? Yes, you can also upgrade your lock to an electronic keypad from LaGard. Making this a very electronic gun safe.

GS5930H is now larger in size. But let me tell you how to look at a model number. GS stands for GUN SAFE. 59 is 59 inches tall. 30 is 30 inches wide. The depth is what has changed. It is now 26 inches deep. Be sure to note these are outside deminsions not inside.

Paint is your basic semi-gloss black with “rain drop” finish. Not much choice there but VERY easy to repair scratches! And if you are going to keep it for a lifetime, that’s important. There are gun safes with high gloss shiney finishes that look great when new. But like any piece of furniture is going to get scratched. The high gloss shine on a Cannon Safe or American Security Gun Safe need to be taken to an auto detail or repair shop…..hmmm, sounds costly to me.

Fireproof is for 1 hour. Which should be enough for any location unless you anticipate a fire caused by accellerants such as gas, fuel, or propane. This safe has been factory tested in a propane oven at 1250 for 1 hour. With the internal temp reaching a max of 350 degrees. According to the fire dept. a normal house fire burns at 950 degrees. So this very good fire protection.

Interior material lining is bit on the sparce side. Its a durable grade but I certainly wouldn’t call call it a plush or luxery grader liner. Shelving comes only one way but can be adjusted or removed intirely for those that want to store something other than guns.

If you are looking for a little bit more upscale model at a better price. I would take a look at the RepublicGun Safe series from Hollon Safe. RG-22 is basically the same size but uses a high gloss finish, and better electronic keypad lock. It also uses a higher grade of interior liner which is a major plus. Because you are going to have this safe for decades. Be sure to take a look at the Republic Gun Safes. I personally have not seen a comparable safe in quality and style unless it was double or triple the price.

I consider the Diamond Back Gun Safe model GS5930H one of the best priced gun safes on the market. The folks at Diamond Back have really done a great job with this model. Feel free to leave your opinion if you are an owner. Also, don’t forget to see my other postings on Diamond Back Gun Safes.

Diamond Back Gun Safe model GS5924H. New and redesigned model. This is the first in the H series with larger 1 1/2 inch bolts. Same 10 gage steel for body but with added plating in the door makes this unit all the stronger. The is also an upgraded lock by Sargent & Greenleaf, made in Kentucky and designed for a life time. This is the dial lock that the others would like to be. Hinges and door steel upgraded. Along with an increase in depth over the old model.

1 hour fireproof for those needing more protection against fire. Perhaps you have heard me rave about the “L” series as a great quality budget priced safe. Well, this unit is a great quality upgraded version. Worth the extra cost. Compare this to Cannon Safe Dangerous Game series. There is a difference in price between Diamond Back and Cannon Safes. First is the paint jobs. Only Cannon can be ordered with a High Gloss Finish. Where Diamond Back Gun Safes

Second is warrenty. Where Diamond Back Gun Safe comes with 1 year. Cannon Safes come with a lifetime warrenty against fire and burglary. I said BURGLARY. Which means…..if a burglar attempts to break into it. Damaging the safe. Cannon Safe will replace it…for life. BUT pay attention to the cost. Buying a Cannon is like purchasing a safe with an exteded warrenty. Some other item to notice is that while Cannon Safes has been very busy the last year. Some of its customers are having a hard time collecting on the lifetime warrenty. Don’t if it has stayed that way. But its something to process. Nobody ever has a problem with Diamond Back Gun Safes. Nice folks, and you will get a real person that answers the phone. Prompt service if you have any problems.

Third is the interior on a Diamond Back Gun Safe cannot be accused of being “plush”. Because its not. It is nicely lined with a basic grey liner. No option for upgrades. But Diamond Back Gun Safes are available for immediate shipping. Where a Cannon Safe will take around 6 weeks or more. Check our prices at www.ValueSafes.com we normally have both manufacturers on sale and with free shipping.

One last insider note about gun safes. Most won’t tell you…actually most don’t know! Both Diamond and Cannon come from the same factory in China but in different stages of finish. Don’t let that scare you away. Most gun safes, even those that claim “American Made”, all are made in one of 4 factories in China. Again in different stages of being finished. Don’t get me wrong there are still some American brands. But the price is through the roof on these units. Normally they are “over built”. I realize that sounds funny when you want a high quality Gun Safe. But just to put bolts every 6 inches is really stupid! Crowbars are going to have a very difficult time getting into anything that is CDOJ rated.